The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1887-12-31

DR. Blake, who had himself well in hand,
made no audible comment on this surprs-
ing bit of news, which in reality was the
final blow to his vague hopes And Mrs
NJ Ick, tucking tiny, tear-blotted note adj
dressed to DR. Paul Blake little further
down in her pocket, noted with inward sat-
isfaction that his appetite appeared in no
way impaired by what he had heard
I'VE will have a talk when l come in
from my calls, Mrs, Mack" he said, with his
usual courtesy; but the widow thought she
detected an undertone of warmth in his
speech, and her hopes ran higher than
ever.
Bob was waiting the doctors appearance
in the office with manifest Impotence 1t
was evident that he had nerved himself up
to The fulfillment of some important duty,
regardless of consequences
"Look here, Doctor, he said, in a cautious
undertone, the moment DR.. Blake had
closed the door behind him; there's things
that's got to be said whether you think Pm
a interferin' with what's none of my biz
ness or not Fust and foremost, you've let
Mis- Mack drive Miss Doris away from the
house -"
Nothing of the sort, Bob, sharply inter
rupted DR.. Blake 9Miss Doris has-has
run off with my nephew, Paul, to be mar
ried
Begin your pardon, but she amt"
cooly returned Bob, who was nothing if
not blunt spoken Mr.. Paurs been an
Hoped with Judge Haynes daughter, which
isn't only eighteen years old, and the Judge
is jest wild about it; every body's talkin' of
it downtown"
Dr. Blake fell into the nearest chair
and sat staring speechlessly at Bob, who,
with great inward gusto, went on:
" Seems he told Miss Doris all about it,
and she tried to get him off the notion, but
twasn't no use So hem Miss Haynes has
gone off to Boston to get married, and Miss
Doris she's took the train to Portland where
she's had offer for to teach music and
DRAWN in the Presbyterian Institute"
"How do you know all this Bob?"
hoarsely demanded Doctor Blake fee ing
as though every thing was slipping from
under his feet.
Didn't Miss Doris tell me last night
When she got me to hang your picter
in your bedroom on the sly, and she crying
like her heart was a-breaking?" boldly re-
turned Bob; land didn't she say she hadn't
no home here any longer, now that you
was goin' to m Try Mrs Mack? But I've
writ a note thaBll explain it ALL she says,
l'AtsOS
in the morning"
Doctor Blake did not wait for further
explanations Ten minutes later he had
lefG the house, caught tie 9:15 express for
Portland, End reached there by l m
Dressed in her best, Mrs. Mack sat in the
parlor New Years night impatiently await
ing DR.. Blake's coming. She knew that he
| had been invited to dine out and his pro-
longed absence did not surprise her So
| absorbed was Mrs Mack in pleasant day
dream that she did not notice the arrival
and departure of hack which had depos-
tied gentleman and lady at the door. That
| the gentleman was DR.. Blake was evident
| by the fact that he let himself and his COM
| panion in with night key. Who the lady
might be is probably apparent to the dullest
| comprehension.
| Still taken up with her castle building tho
widow, blissfuly unconscious of i'm
| pending ruin, turned her head iaHguid!y &c
the door opened.
DIR. Blake-,nd Miss Doris"
This was the startled exclamation which
fell from the widows lips as she sprang to
| her feet
Not Miss Doris, but Mrs Blake" said the
doctor, with freezing politeness I'VE were
| llarrieu III 1OIIlanu GnlS al6eruOOn. ana -
] before Mrs. Mack could scream -"let me ad |
thai as you see 1 have made my choice as
to which of you two should remain under
my roof 1 shall have to request you to take
your departure at the earliest opportunity
perhaps you can guess why"
Mrs Mack gasped, but nothing came of it
| Though speeches. with baffied rage and
shame she hurried out of the room banging
the door behind her till every pane of glass
ratified.
But an earthquake would not have dis
turbed the happiness of the newly-married
coupe who sat side by side in front of the
cheerful blaze.
IF were not quite so young" said Doris,
a little regre fully, in pause of the CONVEX
sation after the mu ual explanations had all
been gone over again.
IF l were not quite SO old" said the
Doctor, with a quiet smile.
odd" was the Indignant response. Does
the picture 1 painted of you looA old?"
why, no." said Dr. Blake, laughing; son
the contrary, it flatters my years grossly.
But that is the way you look to me, "
whispered Doris And that is all
FRANK II. CONVERSE